Thursday, May 21, 2009

* Kozy's, Moby's, ZoloWears and more ~ ALL Babywearing items are 30% off!* ALL Under the Nile organic items (clothing, bibs, blankets!) are 30% off!* ALL Under the Nile TOYS are 25% off!* ALL Bamboosa products are 50% off!* ALL EclipseSpa products are 35% off!* ALL Earth Mama Angel Baby & Nature's Baby Organics are 30% off!* ALL SOS From Texas items are 50% off! (Organic onesies, bibs, receiving blankets, etc.)* Nurtured Little One organic hooded towels and shopping cart covers are 30% off! and much much more, throughout the store! Just add the items you desire to your cart to see the savings! I promise you, absolutely EVERYTHING on this website is at LEAST 20% off, and you don't even have to mess with any coupon codes!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

"I have a ring sling and I want to continue to use it, but I always feel like he is wiggling out of it and I don't feel like he is secure. How long can I wear him in a ring sling? And can you give some pointers on the best way to wear him in it so that he and I both feel he is secure?"

You can wear a baby in a ring sling as long as the baby is within the manufacturer's weight guidelines (many are up to 35 lbs, but be sure to check your particular brand), and as long as it is physically comfortable for you. If the ring is positioned correctly (in front of your shoulder, rather than on top of your shoulder) and the fabric is spread to distribute the weight, most people can wear their babes up to the manufacturer's weight recommendation with no problems.

There are a couple of key points to making sure that your baby is secure in a ring sling, in the carrying positions designed for older babies (hip and back carries, for example).

1. Make sure the fabric is spread not only under the baby's butt, but well under the thighs. I always spread the fabric almost all the way to the underside of my son's knees, which creates what I call the "butt hammock". You can then cinch up that edge of the fabric through the ring to make sure the baby has a "seat" ("butt hammock") for their little buns to sink into a bit, thus securing their weight.

2. Spread the other edge of the fabric up by the baby's armpits or shoulders, and be sure to cinch this edge up through the ring as well. This keeps the baby's torso close to you, so the baby can't lean away from you and create a dangerous situation.

By spreading the fabric both low (knees) and high (shoulders) and tightening each edge, you are able to keep your baby snug and secure as they get older and curiosity makes them more wiggly! =-)

I have friends who will happily drive over an hour to visit a brick and mortar store which specializes in cloth diapers. Heck, I would! But this is a testament to the rarity of being able to find cloth diapers in person as opposed to the internet. Nothing beats touching and feeling different brands and styles in person.

This is why I am positively giddy to announce that No Sugar Added (a website I personally shop from) has opened a storefront in Claremont, CA! You can now find cloth diapers, baby carriers, toys, and pretty much anything else you could want for your natural baby in real life!!!

Due to an illness making the rounds at my house, coupled with being gigantically pregnant, I have yet to make it down there, but I can assure you that I am dying to visit!!! As soon as I do, I will post a review, but in the mean time if any of my readers have made it there in person, post a comment! I would love to hear from you!!!

"I am wondering about using my Moby with a one year old? Is that reasonable? I wanted the opinion of a mom, not just something that the makers say. I know that the longer he is in it, the stretchier and looser it becomes, so is it something you can use with a kiddo that weighs over 22 pounds? Just wanting a mama's opinion. Thanks"

It really depends on how heavy your one-year-old is, but as the baby gets bigger, "stretch" gets less fun. I like a non-stretchy wrap for an older kid. 100% cotton wraps are nice because they really don't stretch, so they offer more support when wearing a big-kid, especially for a longer period of time.

My all-time favorite is the Ellaroo Wrap, but you can also search Hyenacart and Etsy for great mom-made wraps which are a little less spendy!

About Me

Hi! I'm Mandi. I'm the proud Mommy to three kiddos - two boys and a baby girl. My super-awesome husband is a wonderful dad. I couldn't ask for a better guy.
I enjoy promoting natural childbirth, I have a slight addiction to buying cute cloth diapers, and I love reading with my kids.